PUNXSUTAWNEY – The Curwensville Golden Tide wrestling team jumped out to a 29-12 lead over Punxsutawney Tuesday night before the Chucks scored a thrilling come from behind win, 42-35. With the victory Punxsy stopped a two meet losing streak to the Tide.
It was the first action of the year for both squads who truly gave the fans all they could ask for their money.
After Punxsy’s Pat Mahan pinned Justin Smith at 160 to start things and then a forfeit to the Tide’s 171 pounder Zack Dimmick, it was Jonathan Michaels of Curwensville putting the visitors in the lead. Michaels, who did not wrestle last year, picked up an impressive 11-5 win over Tige Woodson while picking up three near falls along the way.
With the Golden Tide now in front 9-6 Nathan Russell picked up a technical fall for Curwensville at 215 over the Chuck’s Tyler Burkett 19-3.
Heavyweight Matt Meko of Punxsy wasted little time in pinning Walter Koontz in 55 seconds to cut the Tide’s lead to 14-12. Then the Tide put three straight bouts in the win column with wins at 103, 112 and 119.
Greg Koptchak received a forfeit at 103 with freshman Jake Keller getting a pin in his first varsity match at 112 in 1:43 to give the Tide a 26-12 bulge.
Junior standout Derek Brothers of Curwensville picked up a 7-1 decision at 119 over a very game Neko Capella to push the Curwensville squad’s lead to seventeen, 29-12.
At 125, Cody Young showed why he is considered the gem of the Punxsy squad as he pinned Tyler Peters in two minutes and twenty seconds to start the comeback for the Chucks.
Curwensville forfeited the 135 pound match only to be followed by Derek Burkett pinning the Tide’s Wes McGarry in just 41 seconds giving the hosts a 36-29 margin with two bouts to go.
Jeff Thomas delivered for coach Duane Wriglesworth and his teammates with a fall at 145. Thomas took care of Punxsy’s Dustin Brewer to put the Curwensville team down by one with one bout remaining.
In the final bout of the night at 152 a win by either wrestler would give their team the win. However, Punxsutawney senior, James Shirley, was too much for Curwensville sophomore Kyle Kyler picking up a pin in 2:37 to secure the victory for the Chucks.
The junior high squad of Curwensville defeated Punxsutawney 58-42 in the opening meet of the evening.
Curwensville will be at home on Thursday night when Moshannon Valley enters Patton Hall. The Black Knight’s are currently 1-5 on the young season after losing to Bellwood-Antis Tuesday night 39-24.
SUMMARY: Cu P
160 Pat Mahan-P pinned Justin Smith-Cu 1:26 0 6
171 Zack Dimmick-Cu Forfeit 6 6
189 Jonathan Michaels-Cu dec Tige Woodson-P 11-5 9 6
215 Nathan Russell-Cu tech fall Tyler Burkett-P 19-3 14 6
285 Matt Meko-P pinned Walter Koontz-Cu :55 14 12
103 Greg Koptchak-Cu Forfeit 20 12
112 Jake Keller-Cu pinned Seth Spack-P 1:43 26 12
119 Derek Brothers-Cu dec Neko Capella-P 7-1 29 12
125 Cody Young-P pinned Tyler Peters-Cu 2:20 29 18
130 James Bullers-P pinned Jeff Smallwood-Cu 2:50 29 24
135 Ty Albright-P Forfeit 29 30
140 Derek Burkett-P pinned Wes McGarry-Cu :41 29 36
145 Jeff Thomas-Cu pinned Dustin Brewer 1:43 35 36
152 James Shirley-P pinned Kyle Kyler-Cu 2:37 35 42
